The veteran died in May 1984 due to Cor Pulmonale with an onset of one year, caused by or as a consequence of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 because he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.
The deciding factor: The veteran had never filed a claim for service connection and was not in receipt of compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling at any time prior to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Cor Pulmonale, Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2003
- Citation
- 0330956
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0330956.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that his heart failure and COPD were not caused by or related to military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's death was due to a combination of factors including smoking, obesity, and COPD.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by his in-service asbestos exposure, and the case is being remanded for this purpose.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied due to his current disabilities not meeting the criteria for such benefits.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.